Temporary insanity costly to Topalov

Moderation and consistency usually maximize returns in the long run whether it be in business, love, sports or games such as chess.

It is a cliche of performance psychology to talk about the importance of "staying within oneself."

Such behavior has been the bread and butter of Bulgaria's Veselin Topalov. A fierce and uncompromising fighter, he is, above all, a realist who excels in appraising situations with admirable objectivity.

But in the final game of his recent match for the world title with Viswanathan Anand, Topalov stepped out of his paradigm and astonishingly self-destructed to lose the game and match.

Egregiously playing to create winning chances with a series of ill-advised moves when the nature of the position offered no more than a draw, Topalov was crushed.

After the game, Anand acknowledged: "I honestly thought he had gone nuts."

But Topalov, who held the world title from 2005 to 2006, was as redoubtable as ever.

"I really committed suicide, but I don't feel sorry," he said. "My confidence is still really strong because I didn't feel I was outplayed here."

Shelby Lyman is a Basic Chess Features columnist.

Beginner's corner

Hint & explanation:

Find a double threat.

Solution to Beginner's corner:

1. Qg3! (threatens Qxg6 mate, and also Bxg6ch to win a queen).

How the masters play

Below is a win by Alexey Smirnov against Evgeniy Najer from the European Individual Chess Championship in Russia.